Big crowd sees Hodges return
MORE than 800 spectators turned out to see Southern League Premier South leaders Farnborough narrowly beat local rivals Hartley Wintney on New Year’s Day.
A crowd of 805 attended The Memorial Playing Fields and this was the biggest crowd to watch a Hartley Wintney match – home or away – since they joined the Southern League four years ago.
Farnborough strengthened their position as league leaders through a solitary Paul Hodges goal after manager Spencer Day named the same side that took to the field against Swindon Supermarine the previous time out, with winger Reggie Young returning from illness and fresh from making his loan move permanent after signing from Hemel Hempstead Town.
Boro used the pace of winger Selim Saied in the early stages and almost had success in the second minute when his cross was met by David Pratt who saw his effort blocked.
Hartley edged possession but without getting sight of the Farnborough goal. Then the first real chance fell to Boro on 17 minutes when a left wing run and cross from Saied found Hodges who skied his shot over. Hartley continued to have most of the possession but without testing goalkeeper Jack Turner, and Boro could have again gone ahead on 28 minutes. John Oyenuga made good progress down the right and his cross saw Pratt shoot over.
Hartley threatened on 36 minutes following a darting run by Reece Wylie. The midfielder’s cross had Turner struggling and the Boro defence were relieved to scramble the ball clear. The Row then went close again on the stroke of halftime. A free-kick by Jordan Edwards was not fully cleared and a Leo
Hamblin shot from 20 yards went narrowly over. Boro looked more incisive after the break, yet the Row created a couple of early chances.
Wylie made ground on the left and his cross found the head of Sam Argent who headed over. Then a powerful run down the right by Kingsley Eshun saw the Boro defenders at full stretch.
Play moved to the other end and Hodges had his second chance of the afternoon. Picking up a loose ball 25 yards out he managed to elude the Row defenders before